A barrister, who was notoriously a tool of the government, appeared for the mock plaintiff, and made some feeble objections to the defendant's plea.

The new Solicitor General replied.

The Attorney General took no part in the proceedings.

Judgment was given by the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Edward Herbert.

He announced that he had submitted the question to all the twelve Judges, and that, in the opinion of eleven of them, the King might lawfully dispense with penal statutes in particular cases, and for special reasons of grave importance.